Process and apparatus for introducing running threads



April 20, 1954 I GRlSET, JR 2,675,908

PROCESS AND; APPARATUS FOR INTRODUCING RUNNING THREADS Filed Aug. 29,1951 2 Shets-Sheet l V T; I

I INVENTOR ATTORNEY April 20, 1954 A GRlSET, JR 2,675,908

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR INTRODUCING RUNNING THREADS Filed Aug. 29,1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR" v li'mielil'reiefi:

:BY v 1 A v ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 20, 1954 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FORINTRODUC- ING RUNNING THREADS Ernest J. Griset, Jr., Asheville, N. 0.,assignor to American Enka Corporation, Enka, N. 0., a

corporation of Delaware Application August 29, 1951, Serial No. 244,115

8 Claims. (Cl. 203-65) This application is a continuation-in-part of mycopending application Serial Number 122,560, filed October 20, 1949,which is a continuationin-part of my application Serial Number 91,253,filed May 4, 1949 and now abandoned.

The above-identified applications relate to methods and apparatus forthe liquid treatment of threads running in a system of tubes, thetreating liquid in each tube acting also as the propelling agent for thethread. In this type of system the problem exists of introducing theyarn or thread to be treated to the first tube of the system. Since thetube is small and the fluid flowing therein is moving at high velocity,the matter of getting the thread to intersect the fluid for entrainmentthereby presents considerable difliculty and, when it is borne in mindthat the tube is usually threaded with an end running at a speed of from60 to 150 meters per minute, the magnitude of the problem can be fullyappreciated.

When the problem described above was finally solved, it was by guidingthe running thread to temporary storage through a path having a pointlying adjacent the ingress of the first tube of the system, cutting thethread at said point and propelling the running end into the tube.Further experimentation has but confirmed the soundness of thisprinciple of operation although considerable progress has been made byway of consolidating the structure which defines the point adjacent theingress of the tubewith the Wash water supply and in improving thephysical ruggedness and cost characteristics of the structure in orderto adapt it to use on a commercial basis. I v

This invention, therefore, relates to methods and apparatus forintroducing arunning thread into a high velocity liquid stream and hasfor its objects reliability, low initial and maintenance cost, and easeof operation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description of severalembodiments thereof in conjunction with the annexed drawings wherein: I

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a portionof a tube spinning machineshowing a spigot, bifurcated guide and temporary collecting device, allconstructed and arranged according to the present invention; Figure 2 isa view in elevation to an enlarged scale of the bifurcated guide ofFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a viewpartiallyin section and partially in elevation of acombined thread guide and 2 spigot shown adjacent the ingress of a tubespinning machine;

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a modified combined guideand spigot shown in operative relation to the mouth of the first tube ofa tube spinning system;

Figure 5 is a view in elevation to an enlarged scale of the guide andspigot of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of still another type of combined guideand spigot shown in operative relation to a tube of a tube spinningsystem; and,

Figure 7 is a view in section taken on the line 'l'! of Figure 6.

Referring now in greater detail to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings,three tubes, H], H and I2 of a tube liquid treating system are shown intheir thread introducing positions. In these positions water is passedfrom right to left through the tube 10, from left to right through tubeH and from right to left through tube 12. Each tube is provided with anentry or ingress funnel such as the funnel [3 associated with the tubeIn and just under the funnelthere is a Venturi in the tube whereby athread entering the funnel is entrained by the liquid in the tube. Afterthe thread is fed through the tubes, the funnels are shifted relative tothe exit ends of the tubes and water is replaced by an appropriatetreating liquid in each tube, all as described in my prior applicationSerial Number 91,253, filed May 14, 1949.

' This invention is concerned with the delivery of a freshly spun threadl4 issuing from a spinning bath, not shown, and sought to be introducedinto the funnel H of the first tube 19 of th tube liquid treatingsystem. I

The yarn or thread led from a source, not shown, is passed over a godetl5, see Figure 1, and is then led downwardly across the tines of a guidefork I 5 and upwardly to a waste-collecting roller ll mounted on thesame shaft as the godet t5. Water is supplied through a conduit l8having a spout or spigot 19 lying vertically in registry above theVenturi in the tube in. Assuming the liquid to be running in the tubes10,11, 12, etc. in the normal fashion, it is only necessary for theoperator to cut the yarn running between the tines of the fork It toinitiate the introduction of the thread into the tubes. As soon as theyarn is cut, the descending free end issuing from the godet is washed bythe liquid issuing from the spout l9 into the top of the funnel Hi. Thecut length of yarn is immediately wound ontothe ,wvaste collector ll. e

The structural design of the two-pronged thread guide is can be betterunderstood by reference to Figure 2 in which it is illustrated in planand to an enlarged scale. The guide 16 is made of glass and includes asupporting stem 20, which fits into a conventional thread guide holderfor positioning relative to the remainder of the apparatus as indicatedin Figure l. The tines or prongs of the guide I6 are provided withindentations at 2! and 22 and these indentations serve to position thethread over the funnel l3 and with the descending run of yarn inposition to be engaged by the water issuing from the outlet spigot l9 onthe pipe 18 to be washed into the funnel 13 as soon as the threadrunning between the tines of the guide is cut.

Before proceeding with the description of the thread-introducing deviceof Figure 3, it is necessary to call attention to the fact that inFigure 3 the tube spinning system is somewhat different from that shownin Figure 1. It involves basically a housing 23 containing aninterrupted tube 2% having a funnel mouth Venturi at 25. During theinitial period thread-introducing liquid is washed over movable trough26 and fixed trough 2?, the latter discharging into the Venturi. Afterthe thread has been introduced into the tubes, the movable trough 2B ismoved to the broken line position of Figure 3, whereby any liquid fromabove bypasses the Venturi, all in the manner described in my copendingapplication Serial Number 122,560, filed October 20, 1949.

When the operation is to be initiated, the tube 24 and the other tubesof the system which are not shown, are supplied with water or treatingliquid. Thread 28 from a suitable source, not shown, is led downwardlyover a vitreous guide 29 having a thread-guiding notch in its bottomedge to a temporary collecting device similar to the godet I! of Figure1, not shown. The upper portion of the vitreous guide 29 is encased inand supported by a capsule-like body 39. The capsule 30 is connected toand supported by pipe 3| which in turn is supported from a bracket 32connected to the housing 23. to the interior of the capsule-like member33 and this Water is supplied to the lower end of the guide 29 throughthe capsule mouth 33. When the thread is being taken up on the temporarycollecting device and is running in the full line position of Figure 3,the deflector being also in the full line position of that figure, thethread is cut at point :r. The effect of the water issuing from thecapsule 3B is to wash the thread over movable trough 26 and coactingstationary trough 21 into the flared mouth of the tube 24. Thereafter,propulsion of the thread is taken care of by the water jet in the tubesystem. Once the operation is complete, movable deflector 26 is shiftedto the chain line position of Figure 3 and the water supply leading tothe capsule 30 is cut off by suitable valve arrangement, not shown.

It will be observed that the form of the invention shown in Figures land2 involves a thread guide which is physically separate and distinct fromthe water supply to wash the thread into the funnel after it is out. Inview of the fact that the position of the spigot relative to the guideis rather critical, it is apparent that the device of Figures 1 and 2 isopen to the objection that fairly critical adjustment and maintenancethereof is necessary to satisfactory operation. In Figure 3, onthe otherhand, it will be observed that the water supply conduit 3| Water is ledconstitutes the support for the thread guide 28 so that in installation,the device is self-adjustmg.

Another form of the invention also characterized by the mutual supportof the spigot or spout and the guide, so that the two are always in apredetermined relative position, is shown in Figures 4 and 5. In thisform of the invention, a vitreous guide 35 is provided having at one endthereof a notch 3% which is positioned above and in alignment with thereceiving funnel 31 of the first tube of the system which is illustratedto be of the type shown more fully in Figure 1. Vertically above thenotch 36 there is located a spout 380i a water supply spigot 39. Thespigot 39 and the guide 35 are connected by a glass rod 45 in suchv away that the spout discharges its stream vertically through the notch 36in the guide 35 and into the funnel 37. Water is supplied as requiredthrough a conduit 4| connected to the spigot se and provided'with asuitable valve, not shown.

In use, thread led from a source, not shown, is passed over a godet 42and then led downward- 1y to a point of temporary collection, not shown,which, however, is above the funnel 31. Then a loop is drawn between thegodet 4'2 and the point of temporary collection and the loop is passedaround the guide 35 and allowed to fall into notch 35 of that guide. Anotch 43 in the front edge of the spout 38 serves to maintain the threadin a straight path from the spout 38 to the guide 35, the notches 43 and36 being accurately vertically aligned. When thread is introduced intothe funnel 3'! it is cut at r, see Figure 4, and a stream of water fromthe spout 38 washes the running end into the funnel. Thereafter theaction of the liquids in the system is as previously described.

While the forms of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive,have been found to be successful in operation, the construction of glassor other vitreous material renders the same rather fragile for plantinstallation purposes and in Figures 6 and '7 there is shown aconstruction which is basically quite similar to the constructions ofFigures 3, 4 and 5, but which is characterized :by ease of assembly, lowcost of production and rugged construction, rendering the same highlysuitable for commercial operation.

In this case a block 44 of any suitable metal resistant to the liquidswhich the thread may entrain is cast to provide on its forward edge athread guiding notch 45 and, below that notch. bifurcated supports 45and 41. Holes are drilled near the lower ends of the supports 45 and lland a removable vitreous rod 48 is inserted through those holes, the rodhaving therein a guiding notch 48 corresponding in structure and infunction to the notch 36 in the guide 35 of Fig ure 5. The guide is,however, readily removable in the event of breakage.

Intersecting holes are drilled in the top of the casting 44 to provide awater access passageway 59 to which a water supply conduit 5! isconnected. Opposite the water supply conduit there is drilled anaperture which receives a valve 52 provided with an operating handle 53,the valve seating in the mouth of the conduit 59. A conduit 54 leads atright angles from the conduit 5a to a point vertically above the notch49 where it connects to a vertical conduit 55 discharging downwardly invertical registry with the notch 49 so as to wash thread passing throughthe notch 49 into the trough system 56 of a tube spinning system of thetype shown in Figure 3.

In operation the form of the invention shown in Figures 6 and 7 issimilar to that shown in Figures 4 and 5. The thread is led from asource not shown, the point or temporary collection lying not shown to apoint of temporary collection also not shown, the point of temporarycollection lying to the rear of the housing 44. The operator pulls aloop between th source and the point of temporary collection and dropsthe thread in the guide 45 and in the notch 49 so that it runs in thefull line position of Figure 6. Thereafter the valve 52 is opened sothat water is washed out of the conduit 55 toward the trough 56 as shownin Figure 6 and while the water is so running and liquid is running inthe spinning system, the thread is cut at the point at. Once it entersthe tube system, it is somewhat displaced to th chain line position ofFigure 6 where it passes around a stationary guide 5'! before entranceinto the Venturi. It will be observed that an integral bracket 58constitutes the supporting element for the housing 44. This bracket islocated to one side of the housing so as to permit a loop to be pulledbetween the thread supply and point of temporary collection and so thatthat loop may be released into the notches 45 and 49. The block which isshown at 59 in Figure '7 is to close the passage 54 and to aiford accessfor cleaning the valve seat in the mouth of conduit 50, should that benecessary.

While the form of the invention shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5 isillustrated in association with a tube system of the type in which afunnel leads to the Venturi rather than a deflector, it is to beunderstood that all of the forms of thread guides for use in introducingthe thread into the tube systems which are shown in this application aresusceptibl of use with either the funnelmouth type of tube illustratedin Figures 1 and 4 or the deflector type illustrated in Figures 3 and 6.

While the temporary collecting device has not been shown in the figuresof drawing except Figure 1, it is to be understood that such device islocated in all instances on the side of the guide opposite to which thethread runs to the guide and in a position at least above the ingress tothe first tube of the system and preferably above the guide itself.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for introducing a thread into a liquid stream projectedinto the flared mouth of a tube that comprises thread delivery meansdisposed above the tube, a waste collecting device disposed above thetube, a notched guide disposed above the mouth of the tube but below thethread delivery means and the waste collecting device and in the threadpath therebetween, and means for flowing a liquid over the surface ofsaid guide so that when the thread is out between the guide and thecollecting device it is washed into the mouth of the tube.

2. In apparatus as claimed in claim 1, means defining a channel leadingfrom a point adjacent the lower end of said guide to a point adjacentthe mouth of said tube to assist in guiding the thread into the mouth ofthe tube after cutting.

3. Apparatus for introducing a running thread into a liquid streamprojected into the mouth of a tube that comprises thread delivery meansand a waste collecting device, both disposed above the tube, a notchedguide disposed above the mouth of the tube but below the thread deliverymeans to define a point in the thread path between said delivery meansand said waste collecting device, a spout above said guide for flowingliquid thereover so that when the thread is out between the guide andthe collecting device it is Washed into the mouth of the tube, and meansrigidly interconnecting said spout and said guide to maintain them in apredetermined relative position.

4. Apparatus for introducing a running thread into a liquid streamprojected into the mouth of a tube that comprises thread delivery meansand a waste collecting device, both disposed above the tube, a notchedguide disposed above the mouth of the tube but below the thread deliverymeans to define a point in th thread path between said delivery meansand said waste collecting device, a spout above said guide for flowingliquid thereover so that when the thread is out between the guide andthe collecting device it is washed into the mouth of the tube, meansrigidly interconnecting said spout and said guide with the spoutdischarging vertically in alignment with the notch in the guide, saidinterconnecting means including a valve housing and a valve in saidhousing for controlling flow to said spout.

5. Apparatus for introducing a running thread into a liquid streamprojected into the mouth of a tube that comprises thread delivery meansand. a waste collecting device, both disposed above the tube, a notchedguide disposed above the mouth of th tube but below the thread deliverymeans to define a point in the thread path between said delivery meansand said waste collecting device, a spout above said guide for flowingliquid thereover so that when the thread is out between the guide andthe collecting device it is washed into the mouth of the tube, a guideon said spout parallel to its axis of discharge, and means rigidlyinterconnecting said spout and said guide to maintain them in apredetermined relative position.

6. Apparatus for introducing a thread into a liquid stream flowing in atube that comprises a funnel leading to the interior of the tube, threaddelivery means disposed above the funnel, a waste collecting device alsodisposed above the funnel, a forked guide disposed above the funnel withone of its prongs directly above the funnel mouth but below the threaddelivery means and the waste collecting device and in the thread paththerebetween, and a spigot for projecting a liquid into the thread pathbetween th delivery device and that prong of' the fork directly abovethe funnel mouth whereby when thread is running between the deliverydevice and the waste collecting device across said guide and liquid isissuing from said spigot the threading operation can be accomplished byclipping th thread running between the prongs of said guide.

'7. The method of introducing a thread into a tube system that comprisesestablishing a run ning thread to a point of delivery above the entranceto a tube spinning system, temporarily collecting the running thread,drawing a loop between the delivery and temporary collection points andestablishing a thread path between said points that changes directionabove the entrance to the tube spinning system, establishing a liquidstream past said point of change of direction toward the entrance to thetube spinning system and cutting the thread between said point of changeof direction and said point of temporary collection.

aerzrspos 8. A method of introducing a thread fed from a continuoussource into a tube system which comprises establishing a thread suctionzone in the path of a thread treating zone, initially passing the threadaround a thread guide and directing the thread to a temporary point ofcollection, guiding a jet of liquid into contact with the threadupstream of the guide and in substantially parallel and concurrentrelationship with the thread and severing the thread between 10 thethread guide and point of collection whereby the thread is carried bythe liquid into the thread suction zone and thereby drawn into theliquid treating zone.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date ,418,136 Dreaper May 20, 1922 1,609,438 Stoll Dec. 7, 19262,412,403 Jackson et al Dec. 10, 1946 2,481,197 Caille Sept. 6, 19492,581,566 Whitehead et a1 Jan. 8, 1952

